Country of Origin: Germany
History: The Leonberger is from Leonberg, Germany, where is has been bred since 1846. The breed was developed from crosses of Landseer Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Great Pyrenees in an effort to produce a dog that resembled the towns lion crest. The Leonberger was always a companion rather than a working dog. It almost became extinct following WWI but the breed was revitalized by fanciers.
Physical Description: The Leonberger is a strong, powerful dog that is well proportioned with a powerful head that is deeper than it is wide. The end of its deep muzzle is black and it has medium size drop ears and brown eyes. The tail is long and bushy. The double coat has a dense undercoat and long, weather-resistant outer coat. It may be coarse or soft and is wavy, longest at the neck and chest and the tail. Color ranges from gold to reddish brown with a dark or black mask. The hair may have black tips and there may be small, white markings on the chest and toe tips.
Height: 25.5 to 31.5 inches
Weight: 105 to 132 pounds
Temperament: Bred as a companion, the Leonberger makes an excellent family dog: affectionate, playful, and very good with children. It is protective of family and home.
Activity Level: High
Best Owner: It does best with an active family in a rural or suburban home.
Special Needs: Attention, grooming, socialization, training
Possible Health Concerns: Addisons disease, bloat, cancer, ectropion, entropion, hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, OCD
